Orthodontic appliance



June 30, 1964 J z s 3,138,872

ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE Filed March 18, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet l I so INVENTOR.

HARRY J. LAZARUS 77 mmm ATTORNEYS June 30, 1964 H. J. LAZARUS 3,138,872

ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE Filed March 18, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

HARRY J. LAZARLIS m, m+m

ATTORNEYS June 30, 1964 Filed March 18, 1960 H J. LAZARUS ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. HARRY J. LAZARUS A TTORNE Y5 United States Patent 3,138,872 GRTHODONTIC APPLIANCE Harry J. Lazarus, Teaneck, NJ, assignor t0 Lazarus and Ifeyser Associates, a ctr-partnership Filed Mar. 18, 1960, Ser. No. 16,004 6 Ciaims. (Ci. 32-14) This invention relates to orthodontic appliances and methods of application thereof.

In the correction of mouth defects, and particularly the misalignment and spacing of teeth, the treatment involves the application of continuous pressure and constraint to the misplaced teeth so as to cause the teeth eventually to grow into proper position. The means used comprise in general the application of bands or clamps to certain of the teeth, which bands are used to hold in place arch wires by which pressure is applied to the misplaced teeth. It is important to have the bands firmly anchored to the teeth, and it is desirable to have the bands fit as snugly as possible so as to avoid discomforts due to unnecessary bulk and to avoid the formation of pockets which may collect food particles resulting in decay, bad breath and other objections, and to be capable of quick and effective application. Owing to the shape of most teeth, which are bigger at the top than near the gums, the bands have to be loose enough to slide over the larger portions of the teeth and are therefore not tight near the gums. The spaces left between the bands and the bases of the teeth are then filled in some way as with cement, which is generally ineffective and unsatisfactory. It has been proposed to make adjustable bands having screw clamps which could be tightened up after application, but such devices have not proved practicable.

The application of arch wires to the bands has also proved a matter of some difiiculty, the usual procedure being to provide grooved fixtures permanently attached to the bands in which the arch wires were secured by some means such as tie wires, it being necessary to provide fixtures of various shapes which necessitated changing of the bands and fixtures if changes in positioning or tensioning of the arch wires became necessary.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a tooth band which can be applied to a tooth and then effectually tightened around the tooth so as to clamp the band firmly in place, fitting closely to the tooth contour so that it will firmly maintain its position without relying upon the action of cement or other filler.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a bracket applicable to a tooth band of any character which will effectively hold the arch wire and which may be adjusted initially and from time to time as conditions may require so as to properly position and tension the arch wire.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear in connection with the description of certain embodiments thereof chosen to illustrate the principles of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings- FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing one form of tooth band embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tooth having the band applied thereto;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the band on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the end of the band being rolled up so as to tighten and lock the band on the tooth;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of band;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a band having a modified construction of tongue-receiving bridge;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the end "Ice of a band and bridge of the form of FIGURE 6, showing the band in locked position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the use of a tool for crimping of the rolled up portion of the band for the purpose of preventing unrolling and possible loosening of the band;

FIG. 9 is an end view of the crimped roll and bridge extension shown in FIG. 8, the crimp forming portions of the tool being shown in section;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a ratchet tool being used to wind up the end of the band;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the ratchet tool, part of the casing being broken away;

FIG. 12 is a perspective View of a band having an improved arch wire-holding bracket or fixture mounted thereon;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the rotary bracket member shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a transverse sectional view of the adjustable bracket mounted on the bridge on the band taken on line 1414 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is the perspective exploded view showing the arch wire-holding bracket of the form shown in FIG- URES 12 to 14;

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 are diagrammatic views showing the adjustable bracket in different positions of adjustment in connection withthe arch wire;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a modified form of the bracket;

FIGS. 20 and 21 are diagrammatic views showing an adjustable fixture having a conventional arch wire bracket mounted thereon;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the rotatable member of the fixture shown in FIGS. 20 and 21;

FIG. 23 is a perspective exploded view of a modified form of arch wire-holding bracket;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another modified construction of an arch wire-holding bracket; and

FIG. 25 is an exploded view showing the parts of the bracket shown in FIGURE 24.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the improved tooth band is in the form of a malleable metal strip which has a tongue portion 32 at one end thereof and which has a strap-receiving formation or bridge 34 formed on or fixed near the other end of the band. The essential characteristic of this formation or bridge is that it shall have a passageway 36 therein or thereunder through which the free end of the band or tongue 32 can be projected, the projected end of the band being thereupon manipulated so as to apply tension to clamp the band tightly upon the tooth and lock it in that condition. This may be accomplished most effectively by rolling or winding up the projecting end of the band by means of a tool thereby applying as great a tension as may be required to cause the band to conform tightly to the surface of the tooth from which it will not slip oif owing to the normal tooth formation, the rolled up metal at the end of the band forming an effectual lock to maintain the band tight. The rolled up end of the band is shown at 33 and the member 34 preferably has an extension piece 4t) which extends over the rolled end 38, protects it and helps to hold it in rolled condition. The roll 38 will fit closely between the outer surface of the band 30 and the extension 40 and will abut against the surface 4-2 of the bridge 34 in the form shown in FIGURES 1 to 4. As seen best in FIGS. 2 and 4, the extension 40 is curved inwardly to form inwardly extending edge portions between which a recess is formed.

The band can be conveniently wound up by means of a tool or key 44 having a slot 46 therein. Sufficient tension can be produced and retained to insure a very tight fitting of the band around the tooth. The band is preferably provided along its upper and lower margins with rounded flanged-in portions 48 which engage above and below the largest diameter of the tooth and will be more or less straightened out when the tension is applied so that the band will fit the tooth snugly, cannot possibly come off, and will provide little or no opportunity for the reception of food particles. The fianging in of the lower margin is particularly desirable for engaging beneath the larger diameter of the tooth. A small amount of cement may be used if necessary to fill small depressions and prevent air spaces but the use of cement is not relied upon to retain the band upon the tooth. The band may thus be retained on the tooth throughout the period of treatment without danger of decay under the band, as so often occurs in previous practice.

The end of the band may be rolled up either inwardly towards the tooth, or outwardly. The inward rolling is preferred as it is less likely to loosen and also makes a smoother finish.

The band carries a bracket or fitting 5 1 preferably formed integrally with, welded or otherwise fixed to the member 34. A conventional groove headed fitting is shown for purposes of illustration in FIGURES 1 to 6. Obviously any known means for holding the arch wire may be employed in connection with the novel band.

In order to positively eliminate any danger of the rolled end of the band from unrolling to an extent to loosen the band, it is preferable to crimp the rolled up end of the band after the band has been tightened. In the illustrated embodiment this is accomplished by crushing or bending the roll transversely of its length, as shown particularly in FIGURES 8 and 9. A pair of pliers, such as 52, may be used for this purpose, the form of pliers shown having a prong 54 for engagement against the outer surface of the extension 40 and having a crimping prong 56 for bending or crushing the roll 38. The prong 56 preferably has a wedge shaped surface 58 for denting in or crushing the roll. The extension 40 is also preferably curved transversely with a concave curvature inward, so that the roll when crushed is bent into this concave curvature, as clearly shown in FIG. 9. The edges 60 of the extension 40 preferably are formed as curved flanges slightly overhanging the ends of the roll, as this forms a smooth finish, prevents displacement of the roll, and helps to exclude food particles from possibly becoming engaged with the formation. The smooth rounded finish is desirable as avoiding irritation to the sensitive tissues of the mouth lining or tongue.

Unrolling of the end of the band may also be prevented by the use of a quick setting cement at the time of application of the band. The rolled end of the band may be filled with such a cement.

FIG. 5 shows a modified construction of band in which a bridge member 34a is provided which is wide enough to receive the whole width of the band so that the latter may slide through the bridge as far as necessary to fit whatever size tooth the band is to be mounted upon. The band is preferably widened slightly as indicated at 31, so that the bridge may be secured to such widened portion. It is usually desirable to provide some excess length for the band as this permits the end of the band to be inserted under the bridge before the band is inserted in the mouth. The dentist may then draw on the projecting end of the band until the approximate size for fitting any particular tooth is arrived at, whereupon the surplus length of the band, unnecessary for the rolling up operation, may be cut otf (as at line 33). The band is then applied to the tooth and its end wound up to tighten the band and form the locking roll.

FIGURES 6 and 7 show a modified construction of the formation for receiving the tongue 32 or end of the band. As here illustrated, instead of a bridge member 34 which is shown as comprising a practically complete tubular structure having portions 62 (FIG. 1) which are secured to the outer surface of the band and over which the tongue 32 slides, the bridge 34 is formed integrally with or attached to the surface of the hand without having any portion extending under the tongue 32 so that the tongue slides under the tongue-holding guide member directly in contact with the outer surface of the band 30. This is also true of the construction shown in FIG. 5. In FIGS. 6 and 7 the member 34b is shown as having outwardly turned flanges 64 welded or formed integrally with the band 3t}. The member 34b has an extension 40 and the end of the tongue is rolled up to form a roll 38 which in this instance is received between the extension 49 and the band 3% which, as is obvious, will curve back around the tooth so as to leave sufficient space between the band and the extension 40 to receive the rolled up end of the tongue. The roll 38 may be crimped, if necessary, in the manner shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

As pointed out above, any suitable means for winding up the tongue or end of the band may be employed, a slotted key being particularly effective. The key may be rotated by the fingers or by a pair of pliers or in any other convenient manner, but I have shown in FIGS. 10 and ll a ratchet tool for winding up the end of the tongue. As shown in these figures, the top of the tool 44 is attached to a ratchet wheel 66 mounted in a casing 63 which has a handle it? carrying a pawl 72 for engagement with the ratchet teeth. By swinging the handle 79 back and forth, the tool 44 may be rotated so as to effectually tighten the band.

In FIGURES 12 to 18 is shown an improved bracket or fitting for attaching an arch wire to a tooth band. This bracket or fitting is preferably incorporated as a part of the improved tension band shown in FIGURES l to 10, but may be applied to any other form of tooth band. The fitting shown comprises an adjustable member rotatively mounted on a band into which the arch wire may be inserted. The movable part of the fitting or bracket is then rotated more or less, a slight rotation causing it to clamp and hold the arch wire, and a further rotation permitting any desired amount of tension to be applied to the arch wire, the bracket being self-locking in adjusted position. The bracket comprises a base member 8%) which is rotatively mounted upon the band or on the bridge member 34, 34a, or 3412 of the forms previously described, by suitable means such as a rivet 82. The base member 80 has fixed to it an eccentric body 84 and a flange 86 which is eccentric to both the base member and the body 84. An arch wire clamping lug 88 having inwardly bent head 90 is also provided, this lug being mounted on the base member 8% in the construction shown in FIGURES 12 to 18. An arch wire is indicated at 92, and when the rotary portion 80 is turned into a position where the longer axes of the eccentrics are in a vertical position, as shown in FIGURES 12, 13 and 16, there is space enough between the shorter radii of the eccentrics and the lug 88 to permit the arch wire to he slipped directly into the space between the eccentric and the lug 88. A small rotation of the rotary member to a position such as shown in FIGURE 17 will then cause the wire to be pressed between the eccentric surface of the eccentric body 84 and the lug 88 and partly under the head 99. At this point a portion of the eccentric flange 86 will be brought into a position where it overlies the arch wire, which is thus prevented from coming out of the space between the eccentric and the lug 88. When it is desired to apply additional tension to the wire, the rotary member 80 is turned further, the tension being increased as the member is rotated, as is evident from FIG. 18. The member may be rotated in either direction from its initial position. Any suitable means for locking the rotary member in adjusted position may be utilized. A simple and effective means for this purpose is indicated particularly in FIGS. 14 and 15, but any other suitable formation may be utilized. As shown in these figures, the under side of the member 80 is provided with wedge shaped teeth 94 which engage wedge shaped teeth 96 formed on the outer surface of the band or block attached thereto. Yielding means such as a spring washer 98 (FIG. 14) which is interposed between the head 100 of the rivet and the bottom of a recess 192 formed in the eccentric member may be utilized to hold the wedge shaped tooth formations in engagement. The yielding pressure can readily be made sufficient to hold the rotary wire-clamping member in any position to which it is adjusted, but will still permit adjustment to be made at the time of application of the arch wire or subsequently thereto by means of a tool of any suitable character. As indicated, the recess 100 is shown as square so that it may be engaged by the square head of a tool 104 (FIG. 13).

FIG. 19 shows a slight modification of the construction shown in FEGURES 12 to 18 in that the lug 88a is mounted on a fixed pant of the band instead of directly on the rotary member 80. This construction, while simpie, is not as effective as the mounting of the lug on the rotary member, which permits a wider range of adjustment and more effective tensioning of the wire.

FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 illustrate how the rotary fixture can be used in connection with a conventional slotted arch wire receiving piece 50. In the use of this construction the arch wire may be adjustably tensioned by turning the rotary fixture more or less. This construction avoids the necessity of providing a variety of bands with slotted brackets fixed thereto in different positions, in accordance with previous practice. The same band and fixture may be used in all cases and the tension of the arch wire may be set or reset, as may be required.

In FIG. 23 a modified construction of rotary fixture is shown in which the rotary member 89 is provided with a series of ratchet teeth 95 on its lower surface which engage in holes 97 in the base. As shown, the ratchet teeth 95 will permit rotation of the rotary member in one direction only, and will firmly lock the member in adjusted position.

In FIGS. 24 and 25 another embodiment of rotary fixture construction is illustrated. As here shown, the rotary member 80a, instead of being mounted on a pin or rivet, is mounted in a flanged ring 106 which is welded or soldered to a base plate 107 mounted on the end of the band 30. The rotary member 80a is provided with ratchet teeth 110 which are engaged by an inwardly bent pawl 1% formed in or carried by the ring 106.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the present invention provides for a tooth band construction which can be accurately fitted to the tooth to which it is to be applied, in such a way as to be very firmly mounted and also to fit the tooth so closely that there is little chance for entrance of foreign matter inside of the band or around the tooth. This greatly reduces the danger of decay of the tooth while the band is in place, which has been a serious difficulty in the technique of banding teeth as heretofore practised. The present construction also permits the band to be placed and tightened usually in one simple operation without the necessity for repeatedly putting the band into the mouth and taking it out again and re-forming or refitting it. A great saving in time on the part of the operator is thus secured, and also the comfort of the patient is promoted by the avoidance of the lengthy and awkward fittings. The comfort of the patient is further secured by reason of the fact that the band fits snugly and all unnecessary bulk due to the use of cement work around the band is avoided. The present construction also results in a substantial saving in cost. With bands as heretofore used it has been the practice to take casts of the mouth, send them to the dental lab oratory,

have a special band made up for each particular tooth, and then have another session with the patient for fitting the bands in place. With the present construction it is possible to apply a stock band and fix it in position at a single sitting and entirely eliminate the cost and delay of having a special band manufactured by the dental laboratory.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been described as illustrative of the principle thereof, it will be understood that changes may be made therein and that the methods set forth may be varied in such way as to carry out the principles of the invention.

I claim:

1. An orthodontic appliance comprising a flexible metal band for surrounding a tooth, said band having a bridge member adjacent one end thereof, including a passage way defined therethrough for receiving the opposite end of said band, said band being adapted to extend through said passageway of said bridge and to project outwardly therefrom, the end of said band projecting outwardly from said bridge adapted to be wound into a roll, the end of said bridge adjacent the projecting end of said band having an extension formed thereon, said band being adapted to be fitted under said extension and locked thereagainst after it is wound into a roll.

2. A orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein said bridge extension includes inwardly extending edge portions formed on said extension, said extension forming a recess between said edge portions into which the rolled up band may be locked.

3. A construction as claimed in claim 1, in which said bridge member comprises an arch wire-engaging bracket.

4. An orthodontic appliance comprising a tooth-encircling band having an arch Wire bracket mounted thereon for rotation about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tooth, and locking means for anchoring said bracket in adjusted angular position, said locking means comprising interengaging ratchet formations on the bracket and band and yielding means for holding said formations in adjusted engagement.

5. A construction as claimed in claim 4, in which the bracket comprises a rotatable base member having an arch wire-engaging lug near the margin thereof and having two rounded formations thereon both of which are eccentric to the pivotal axis of the base and which are eccentric to each other for cooperating with said lug to engage an arch wire.

6. A construction as claimed in claim 1, in which the end of the band carrying said bridge member is widened, the bridge member being wide enough to permit the opposite end of the band to slide freely thereunder, said extension part of the bridge member extending away from the end of the band on which it is mounted for receiving the opposite end when rolled up thereunder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,304,881 Johnson May 27, 1919 2,368,851 Laskin Feb. 6, 1945 2,378,279 Begg June 12, 1945 2,379,011 Laskin June 26, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 401,948 Great Britain Nov. 23, 1933 107,441 Australia May 16, 1939 1,177,498 France Dec. 1, 1958 

1. AN ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE METAL BAND FOR SURROUNDING A TOOTH, SAID BAND HAVING A BRIDGE MEMBER ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF, INCLUDING A PASSAGEWAY DEFINED THERETHROUGH FOR RECEIVING THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID BAND, SAID BAND BEING ADAPTED TO EXTEND THROUGH SAID PASSAGEWAY OF SAID BRIDGE AND TO PROJECT OUTWARDLY THEREFROM, THE END OF SAID BAND PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID BRIDGE ADAPTED TO BE WOUND INTO A ROLL, THE 